TESTIMONIES & PRESS ARTICLES
I was pleased on several occasions to play with ERIC FRANCERIES, and that always was for me a complete happiness. Endowed with a marvellous technique and an irreproachable taste, he has all in its hands and its heart to make a beautiful career of soloist."
Jean-Pierre RAMPAL" ERIC FRANCERIES Controls his art with sensitivity. He is always an interpreter knowing to join together his technical possibilities with the service of a high musical spirituality."
Alexandre LAGOYA"the guitar is a splendid, but diabolic instrument. The listener does not know always what are the talent and work necessary to emit only one sound of it! And perhaps when all these sound pearls are poured with floods of melodies, rhythms and harmony, the music lover does not realize which sophisticated computer resides in the head of the artist guitarist, especially when this one is class of ERIC FRANCERIES."
Claude BOLLING"ERIC FRANCERIES is for me the example of a complete artist, joining together an extraordinary technique, an exceptional presence, a great intelligence in his analysis of works, and an extraordinary musical quality.
Guy TOUVRON
"Eric FRANCERIES goes through the generations and the borders of the six strings, becoming , with the passing of years, the "crossroads man" of the classical guitar..."
Guitarist Classic Acoustic- Hors Série N°5
Guitare Classique, Sept 2010
JLa marseillaise, August 2010
July 2010
Classical Guitar Magazine, UK, June 2010
Nov. 2009
Oct. 2009
Oct. 2009
Oct. 2009
May 2009
Feb. 2009
Feb 2009
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Viva Argentina !
For it first concert, the 5th "Guitarmaniaks" festival, put the high bar by proposing the duet "Buenos Aires". The tango is the very dance of the love and it is this feeling that offer Eric Franceries and Jeremy Vannereau for this music, to which they dedicated their life. The most beautiful, is that they manage splendidly to communicate this love to their public. It's a real dive in the tango world that both interpreters offered on Friday evening to the circle Saint Martin in Colmar. All was perfect , various tangos were interrupted with anecdotes. And after having discovered its crossing origins (milonga, candombe and habanera) in the Argentina of the 19th century, the spectators were introduced to little secrets of the tango...It is especially the irreproachable play of the guitarist and the bandonioniste which conquered the public. Nothing to criticize...
Colmar, 12 Septembre 2008
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Press review - CD BUENOS AIRES
2008
Two Virtuosos: one (Eric Franceries), is guitarist; the other (Jérémy Vannereau), a well known Savoyard . The osmosis is completed: the true Argentinian Tango in all its magnificence ...A pure masterpiece. Amateurs of the true Argentinian tango, get this CD. compliment for the design to Caroline Blanchemain
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Latina June 2008
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Dammartin, 2007 July, 4
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Aurillac Infos - May 2007
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Tulle; 2006 Décember, 18
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Avignon - -2006 April, 11
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the GUITAR ACADEMY welcomes Eric FRANCERIES
saturdays May 28 at 3 p.m., the Academy opened its doors to Eric FRANCERIES.
This marvellous guitarist, with simplicity, humour, generosity, offered to the participants moments of intense musical pleasure. Virtuosity, sensitivity, an extraordinary sound, all captive and dazzle in this Master of the guitar.
28 mai 2005
http://aguijournal.over-blog.com/article-281811-6.html
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Poland, October 2004
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Eric FRANCERIES, uncontested Master of the guitar on stage
A recital out of the common run, a masterly technique.
Wednesday, Eric Franceries once more allured the public with his classical guitar.
Anglo Saxons, in the field of the rock'n'roll and the blues, qualify their virtuosos guitarists like "Guitar Heroes". Eric Franceries, in the field of classical music, amply deserves this qualifying . Wednesday evening, one of the current Masters of the guitar, offered a recital which attracted a large public of purists and music lovers, of which a significant part of young people. Eric put his masterly technique at the service of impressive music (Capriccio Diabolico by Castelnuovo Tedesco, or the impossible variations by Denis Mortagne on a theme by Lalo Shiffrin), but it also made sing his guitar in an intense way in the homage to Django Reinhardt or the dances from Latin America that he shines upon. The first part made it possible to hear a classical and baroque repertory , writing at the origin for lute and harpsichord, that this virtuoso succeeded to play without dryness in spite of the difficulties related to the contrapuntic writing by Bach or Scarlatti. The assistance was gradually conquered by this concert and expressed its enthusiasm by many "encores". At the end of the concert, it is with the smile that Eric received his many admirors to dedicate his new album to them: Lights of Spain.During the next months , the performer must offer many recitals in France and in the whole world.
Le Pays Roannais, 26juillet 2004
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Critiques presse du CD "Lumières d'Espagne"
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Lumières d'Espagne Eric Franceries CD 0103AZALAI
This CD concert, remember to our minds the Alexandre Lagoya recital's atmosphere . The guitarist Eric Franceries doesn't plagiarizes this of which he was the pupil. He just kept all the characteristics of the Alexandre Lagoya School who proposed for the guitar some beautiful musical effects.
In the first piece "Recuerdos of Alhambra" by Francisco TARREGA, one can listen to a melody which leads to the meditation and which captures the attention for the continuation of the program...:
"Rumores de la Caleta" by Isaac ALBENIZ, is showed as a painting where the luminosity and its contrasts are played among various architectural contours.
Immediately followed by "Sevilla". Here the concert performer skilfully avoids the easy effects that this music could bring.
"Evocatiòn" by Emilio PUJOL, call us on a méditative interpretation .
"Aires de Sevilla" composed by the talented guitarist JOSE MARIA GALLARDO DEL REY, makes us discover the melancholic but how much animated flamenco music . "Fuego " by the same author, is moulted in an immaterial music of pure expressivity.
Then the music by Joaquin RODRIGO is exposed until the end of the CD. It is known that it requires much virtuosity on behalf of the musician , and it is approached here with the same concentration as the preceding pieces. "En los Trigales" which one knew faster tempi, is played in an often peaceful rhythm. "En Tierras de Jerez" proposes to us a true fireworks of sounds . "Sonata Giocosa" - in 3 parts, ends this concert and will let the listener on an impression of proximity of poetry, heat and light .
The title of this CD thus does not betray the waiting of the listener and one must also greet the quality of the recording and the good sound of the guitar
Françoise Thibaut Avril 2004
http://www.guitarepremiere.be.tf/
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"Lights of Spain" by Eric Franceries is a recognition and discovery of the Spanish inheritance travel, from the beginning of the century to nowadays.The Famous "Recuerdos de Ahlambra" allows to be in the mood before listening two pieces by Isaac Albeniz, "Rumores of Caleta" and "Sevilla" ,before a very sensitive "Evocation" by Emilio Pujol. Then comes the surprise from this album, the discovery of the guitarist and composer Jose Maria Gallardo de Rey, a contemporary born in 1958. In his "Aires de Sevilla", this composer succeeded to introduce his knowledge of the flamenco to the service of original musics for traditional guitar. Construction and harmonies are impregnated by Flamenco Nuevo from Paco de Lucia or Vicente Amigo. Eric Franceries makes of it a masterly interpretation which reflects the immersion which was his own to impregnate himself with these "Lights of Spain". This travel is completed in "Tierras de Jerez" by Rodrigo, then with "Sonata Giocasa" by this same composer, ignored enough works which is pleasant to be appreciated on such a level of interpretation. To currently get this CD in reprinting, efranceries@free.fr
Valérie Duchâteau
" Guitarist Acoustic ", Mai 2004
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Outstanding concert for the MUSICADES 2003
An emblematic concert to pass to the spring version in 2004
In Lyon, the famous "Musicades" have push back the main of their 14th edition in spring. That did not prevent them from marking their last autumnal presence in a concert which appeared as a triumph.A full Molière Concert Hall for an emblematic program :mix of musical styles and generations of performers, music in creation and come back. At the side of Jean-Claude Pennetier, the pianist Christian Ivaldi who formed part of the founder team of Musicades. Fraternal beginning with the version for four hands piano of "Ma Mère l'Oye" by Maurice Ravel. The two partners avoid the miniature aspect , reaching an almost orchestral size.The top in the concert was the French creation, after Germany, of the last chamber music work by Suzanne Giraud. "Envoûtement V", is an extraordinary "motu perpetuo " for guitar and string quartet, where the difficult writing expresses an underground tension from beginning to end that seems always ready to explode. With in particular a guitar part with a terrible technical relisation . the musicians, very exceptional by their precision and their communicative concentration: the guitarist Eric Franceries,outstanding virtuoso , and the Satie Quartet very efficient...
Philippe Andriot
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STANCIU- FRANCERIES , deux Maîtres à jouer -Dauphiné Libéré 24 août 2002
CHÂTEAU DE CLERMONT. From the union between two instruments of popular extraction, guitar and panpipes, was born the purest musical jewel which is .
"It is true that they are two instruments among simplest: strings and reeds ", notices Eric Franceries. "And with these basic instruments we play a perfectly completed classical music". Double meeting between two large international virtuosos and two instruments with very complementary sonorities, it was occurred by it one of these concerts which mark the most demanding musical seasons . The traditional sobriety of the classical guitar of Eric Franceries, allied to the dreamer charm of the light notes of Simon Stanciu's panpipes took with the trap the most subtle spirit of the music, given again to the Minuet of Boccherini a youth and a grace that one did not know to it any more, given a priviligiated place to the "Entr'acte" by Jacques Ibert. Allured by the grace moving by adagios like one undoubtedly never heard some, the excellent public, well informed about things of the music, could not be retained to applaud in homage to the two musicians at the end of the second movement of the "Grande Sonata" by Giuliani . Eric Franceries, who knew "to erase" his guitar to put it at the service of the panpipes, gave his full measurement of great musician in the interpretation of a "Debussyenne" sensitivity , of two musics by Albeniz. One evening rich of musical emotions of a rare purity.
It's so simple, if this magic duet gives again a concert in the area, stop all and run to hear two musicians with the cordial contact and the immense talent.
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Cormatin- "Journal de Saône et Loire"-17 mai 2002
Le public sous le charme
Eric Franceries and Simion Stanciu made with the first concert of the very new Guitar Festival in Cormatinois an unforgettable moment. Nobody, among the two hundred spectators who have listened the first concert of the festival found word enough strong to say what he had just lived. Thanks to the guitar of Eric Franceries, to the panpipes of Simion Stanciu and to the beauty of the selected pieces the evening was magic. It was one of these moments of reality and intense happiness as the life can sometimes offer to us. From Carulli to Ibert, while passing by Borodine, Barrios, Albeniz, Bartok and some other composers, Eric and Simion took along their public in a splendid voyage throughout the world all while bringing it to discover another musical dimension. Eric Franceries' way of playing all in shades , constitutes a true treat for the guitar lovers. Alternating power and lightness, linking with happiness dexterity and sensitivity, raising the whole of a fine touch of tenderness and sensuality, Eric and his guitar are just one . Under its nimble fingers the instrument sings, laughs, cries, becomes inflamed... lives, quite simply. As for Simion Stanciu'panpipes, it become magic under the quality of interpretation of his Master . The exceptional virtuosity of this great musician, whose international fame is very well known, let think that he is amusing with all the difficulties raised as well by an archaic instrument as by the innumerable classical figures. playing together, answering themselves, alternatively letting one dominate the other as for better finding a second breath and imposing themselves again, Eric's guitar and Simion's panpipes, accomplices as well as friends under the influence of their players, held the public under the charm. Added to that the humour of the artists, their sympathy, their simplicity and of course their fantastic ability, the measurement of the evening is given. More than great, it becomes unforgettable.
Michèle Espour - Dureuil
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Forges les Eaux , 9 Décembre 2001
While waiting for the Maurice ANDRE's arrival December the 15 and 16, Jean Bauchet concert hall in Forges les Eaux already knew last Sunday a concert among the most successful which announce well the musical festivities of the end of the year. A pure moment of happiness. Eric FRANCERIES, accompanied by the Orchestra conducted by Jean-Pierre BERLINGEN, had showing us that a guitar was much more than one piece of wood decorated with six strings: it is an instrument which, between good hands, is carrying magic. It is in the presence of Alexandre LAGOYA's widow that Eric FRANCERIES will have achieved his splendid demonstration, first of all playing a music by Carulli, accompanied by her daughter Chloé to the flute. Teaching himself at the Chambéry Conservatory, Eric FRANCERIES was then surrounded by three of his better students, Régis CASTIN, Olivier PELMOINE and Jérémy JOUVE. The quartet thus played a masterly interpretation of the "Pavane" by Ravel, for the greatest pleasure of the audience which was transported still more thereafter in the concert with the Aranjuez Concerto by Joaquin Rodrigo. The Orchestra confirmed its great talent and it is with a true ovation that the first part of the concert ended. The second part saw the Bandonionist Albert HAMANN joining to the orchestra and Eric FRANCERIES, and it is at the very roots of the tango that the musicians went to draw their energy for a high colored performance . The public asked some encores and the musicians had the pleasure to play again . After all, it was to a "Christmas in Family" that the public was invited. This great family of musicians coming from the different places of France, thus has, by her talent, offered a splendid gift...
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Avignon, Journal "La Provence"- Samedi 18 Août 2001
Sensitivity of a great musician
A little stage , a chair, a restfoot: the guitarist does not have no need more to enchant his public. Wednesday, in the "Chambre de Notaires" of the "Palais des Papes", near by the paintings of Gao Xingjian, Eric Franceries offered a very beautiful concert , melting traditional and modern compositions, splendidly interpreted. With virtuosity, certainly, but especially with all the sensitivity of which a great Guitar Master is able. Even we were gifted, at the end of the program, to a very beautiful Bossa Nova , and a samba (congratulations for the simulation of the Brazilian rhythm thanks to the crossed strings). And the beads of sweat which beaded on his face recalled how much can cost in concentration such a performance. The true talent . C.P.
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"Le Journal de Saint-Barth" N°384 - Wenesday 26, January 2000
An encounter with Eric Franceries Eclectic Guitarist
Clad in Bermuda shorts, a poloshirt and sandals, Eric Franceries has adopted the Caribbean vacationers dress code in the few days since he arrived in St.Barth. But don't let looks fool you, the French guitarist, like all of the other Music Festival musicians, hasn't come for a laid-back holiday in the sun. With three concerts and three rehearsals in three days, there's been little time for wiggling his toes in the sand or discovering the natural charms of an island that he is revisiting for the first time in ten years.
"I was in heaven when Frances Debroff invited me to be a part of his year festival," explained Eric on a rehearsal break Saturday morning at the Anglican Church. "What I really lke is the particular ambiance of this festival, so unique from others. Kindness and conviviality are key, and the friendliness of the people here is great".
But, what Franceries feels also sets this festival apart is the exceptional quality of Festival participants and of the chemistry that is creating during each encounter. 3Things happen here that just don't happen anywhere else. Conventions fall by the wayside, there is something pure. You don't find that anywhere but here," he said.Coming from an artist who has become a reference point for classical guitar and who performs 70 to 100 concerts a year throughout the world, his comment takes on a particular dimension.
Evoking his experience during Friday nights concert during which he performed Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez, Franceries remembers the connection between the audience and the musicians. " There was a moment where, despite our differing personal experiences and backgrounds, we all came together to make music come alive. If we can take audiences and other musicians to a higher plane, that's its own reward." It's a reward that he receives jealously at each performance, and one that fedds his passion for original musical adventaure.Trained as a classical guitarist, Franceries won first prize at the National Conservatory of Music in Paris at the tender age of 20. He went on to receive awards in international music competitions including Carpentras, Sassari and Radio France. Though he had every reason-spured by his string of successes- to never venture out classical guitar, Franceries didn't hesitate to diversify his repertoire, applying his genius to other musical genres with equal mastery.
He played jazz with Claude Bolling, with whom he performed in St. Barth and whith whom he released a 1994 CD, entitled "Cross Over USA", that won them the Music Victory award. Franceries went on to explore others styles, including folkloric music.
Currently, he works with a young variety singer and is accompanied by a bass player, a viola player, and a synthesizer.Franceries is fond of saying that his guitar is an eclectic one. "I adapt it to different styles and I take roads that most guitarists usually don't," he comments. Franceries seems both happy and comfortable with the artistic choices he's made to branch out and declares that he plans to continue giving his artistic curiosity free reign. "The 20th century witnessed a lot of musical cleavages. The 21st century should prove propitious for fusion a good thing for music." YB
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"The Kansas City Star", Monday, March 16, 1992
BOLLING introduced FRANCERIES for a solo classical guitar composition. "Folies d'Espagne", by Fernando SOR, moved trough darkness and light, intospection and frenzy. FRANCERIES' blend of fretted and harmonic notes gave the piece a rich texture.Hard as it was to choose, "Concerto for Classical Guitar and Jazz Piano Trio" was my favorite. FRANCERIES' wonderful descending line was set against BOLLING's exquisite rythm playing and occasional echoes of the melody. -John Mark Eberhart
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"The Palm Beach Daily News", Monday, April 23, 1990
Franceries is an extraordinary guitarist in the classical tradition. He returned after intermission to play a classical solo "Cathedral" by Barrios, and showed a breathtaking ability - Juliette Marcellus.
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"The Hartford Courant", Saturday, March 5, 1988
Franceries has a bright, clear technic, reminiscent of Andres SEGOVIA on the Spanish pieces, and of Django REINHARDT on the swing numbers. -Owen Mac Nally
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Critique presse du disque "Musique de Buenos -Aires"
par Albert HAMANN (bandonéon) et Eric FRANCERIES (guitare)This excellent CD gathers a dozen perfectly typical Argentinian Tangos. They are here rather recent compositions of "nuevo tango", therefore of very worked music . In addition to the very famous piazzolla, represented well here, appear music far from being uninteresting from Marconi, Plaza and Frederico. Environment is nostalgic and tragic : music with flashes of rage, hypersentimentale and paroxystic. Hamann and Franceries have in their repertory the double concerto for bandonion and guitar of Piazzolla. Decidingto dig this vein, they developed a whole repertory of Tangos, traditional and modern. One is an excellent bandoneonist, the other, Eric Franceries, is well-known as guitarist and pedagogue. He is also an untiring concert performer. Nothing more méritorious for this artist coming from the classical world to launch out successfully on widened musical ways thus opening doors to the guitar, repertory and ways of playing. These Tangos are remarkably well played: it is varied, dynamic, with contrasts. Perhaps one feels sometimes the classical formation by a precisely impeccable side, almost too organized, that popular musicians would not have. But thus a popular style becomes classic and acquires a "reconnaissance" . Bravo!
(Cante Jondo CJ 01 ).
François DRY. Les Cahiers de la Guitare.
